Aphananthe aspera, commonly known as scabrous aphananthe[2] or muku tree,[1] is a flowering plant in the family Cannabaceae. It is found on slopes and stream banks between 100 and 1600 m. It is native to China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.[3]

Aphananthe aspera
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Cannabaceae
Genus: Aphananthe
Species:
A. aspera
Binomial name
Aphananthe aspera
Synonyms[1]
  • Homoioceltis aspera (Thunb.) Blume
  • Prunus aspera Thunb.

Uses

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It is used as an ornamental plant in Chinese classical gardens. Aphananthe aspera is a source of fibre and wood, and has been used for making paper. Leaves gathered in autumn are used as a fine sandpaper for polishing wood and similar materials.[4][5][6] It is not clear from the sources referred to, whether the effectiveness of the leaves as sandpaper depends on their roughness, or whether they contain abrasive phytoliths.

References

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  1. ^ a b c "Aphananthe aspera". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  2. ^ English Names for Korean Native Plants (PDF). Pocheon: Korea National Arboretum. 2015. p. 355. ISBN 978-89-97450-98-5. Archived from the original (PDF) on 25 May 2017. Retrieved 25 January 2016 – via Korea Forest Service.
  3. ^ "Aphananthe aspera". Flora of China. Retrieved 20 June 2017 – via eFloras.org, Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
  4. ^ "The Forestry Exhibition" (PDF). Nature. 30 (771): 337–8. August 7, 1884. Bibcode:1884Natur..30..337.. doi:10.1038/030337a0. S2CID 4126298. The polishing of rough surfaces appears to be effected by the rough leaves of Aphananthe aspera and the stems of a species of Equisetum.
  5. ^ "Japan Traditional Crafts Aoyama Square". Archived from the original on 2012-03-23.
  6. ^ "Aphananthe aspera PFAF Plant Database".

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